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Iron Maiden would never be moved into a pure prog category on this site, not even if they made a double album of songs like the one below. They just lack the proper prog credentials ;-)
Ooh, prog credentials.
What are they?
Long songs? Epic feel? Intricacy, detail, thematic depth, concept albums? I dunno. But maybe if Iron Maiden put some thought into their mindless thrash and used some of the above elements we would not be too precious about all this. Oh... but, wait a mo'... maybe they did. I just realized. You might have to go some way back into time to a brave new world but even a spot of (Acacia Avenue) conceptual continuity may authenticate the "prog credentials".
Is there a prog rock constitution? Hallowed be it's name.
Joined: September 03 2005
Location: Olympus Mons
Status: Offline
Points: 15921
Posted: October 31 2015 at 15:20
The Book Of Souls is highly excellent, their best since Brave New World, but I still couldn't give it 5 stars (although Empire Of The Clouds is absolutely, positively amazing), almost worth giving the album a 5 for that track alone.
Joined: April 03 2015
Location: Darlington, UK
Status: Offline
Points: 4776
Posted: October 29 2015 at 16:17
The Book of Souls - A really strong album - and pleased to see them starting to get a bit of 'prog' recognition in the music media at last, after steadily moving to longer, more complex works in more recent times (especially since Bruce's return). I enjoyed their early days when part of the NWOBHM (I bought 'The Soundhouse Tapes') and just quietly drifted way from them in the mid-80s (as with much classic/prog rock) as they became a bit samey and I moved to more complex fayre. I now find them surprisingly deep and multi-layered, with more intelligence and variety than the usual metal bands. Good on them! Empire of the Clouds and the Red and the Black are especially good tracks for any progger to ponder!
Sounds great as the triple heavyweight vinyl version too. My daughter can testify to that, now the old turntable is in her room!
“Living in their pools, they soon forget about the sea.”
Joined: September 03 2005
Location: Olympus Mons
Status: Offline
Points: 15921
Posted: October 27 2015 at 07:19
THE X FACTOR............. ...........6 out of 5 stars........................THE BEST MAIDEN ever.........followed ever so closely by Somewhere In Time/Powerslave..........................then the debut..............
Joined: September 03 2005
Location: Olympus Mons
Status: Offline
Points: 15921
Posted: October 23 2015 at 00:24
^ I'm thinking Alexander too !! As majestic as Seventh Son is, Alexander is just more......involved. A phenomenal track on an outstanding album. Seriously, I listened to SiT heaps between '86 and '91, but for some reason, moved on and really forgot about it. Was still listening to various Maiden over the years, but never returned to SiT. Now I'm making up for it for sure. I say proudly "a 5 star album". Along with The X Factor, Powerslave and possibly the debut (strong 4.5 for sure). And even 'weak' Maiden is good Maiden. I'm so glad I've taken this bender on IM of late (I still throw in some other stuff too - Kajagoogoo, Ozrics, Le Orme......)
Joined: September 03 2005
Location: Olympus Mons
Status: Offline
Points: 15921
Posted: October 22 2015 at 01:57
^ It's indeed very good, and along with The Final Frontier, my least spun of the 'new era' albums. I'm really enjoying The Book Of Souls, and Empire Of Clouds, whilst the first few spins I was underwhelmed, it's revealing itself as an incredible, story-telling epic that works amazingly well. Such is the musical depth here, it does take a few spins to sink in. Some of the shorter tracks aren't as exciting, but still very good. But now, upon re-discovering Somewhere In Time, they don't play as fast as they used to. Things like Long Distance Runner and Deja Vu are amazing, I don't hear that tempo these days. And which is a stronger track - Alexander The Great, or Seventh Son ???? Both impossibly fantastic.
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Windhawk wrote:
I thought Bruce was certified.......?
